Reloading the 7.62X39 - Bullets??

N

NINEX19

New member
I would like to start reloading 7.62X39, but am running into component supply issues. How does everyone source bullets that reloads this round?
Powder, cases, primers.... no problems as I have all that on hand. Bullets, what's up with that. The only bullets I can seem to locate in .311 dia. are way too expensive for me to consider as I am not looking to do up competition/sniper loads. .308 diameter are easier to find, and slightly cheaper, but they are the wrong size. I guess they would work, but I would think accuracy and possibly velocity would be affected.

So, the adding up the cheapest components I can find to reload I get to @ 55 cents per round. When delivery to my doorstep is 24 cents per round of steel cased wolf military classic/poly, the decision is made for me.

So where do you get bullets for this caliber to get close to steel cased prices? Or are the only re-loaders for this round looking for custom hunting, competition, sniper, etc type loads?
 
Mebbe you can use less expensive .308" bullets, but you'll have to slug your barrel to make sure you know exactly what size bullet you need (I think my SKS 7.62x39 slugs at .312" and .308"-.309" works OK, not great, but OK).
 
.308 bullets will work, but accuracy suffers, which isn't a big deal if you're plinking tin cans at 75 feet. I bought a bunch of bulk 110gr 30 carbine bullets years ago and load them. I've also loaded cast 120gr 30 carbine bullets, but I have to load very light, and manually eject them because they really aren't hard enough.

I was looking at some of the Missouri Bullet Co. cast/coated/plated options for inexpensive bullets now available that should perform better, but still have too much "use up" stock to buy something new.

I also have a bunch og .308 147gr FMJBT that I bought in bulk, but have trouble fidning load data for them in 7.62x39.
 
Rocky Mountain Reloading has some. $105 for 1,000 or $65 for 500. .312 123 Grn FMJ. RMRbullets.com

I ordered some 10mm and 9mm bullets last week. They arrived really quickly and the shipping is included in the prices quoted above.
 
Rocky Mountain Reloading has some. $105 for 1,000
Click to expand...

Thanks for the link. 11 cents for a rifle bullet is not bad. I am not sure I have even heard of them before. I just might give them a try. Their page says to keep velocities below 2000 fps. I will have to look, but I am not sure there is published load data for velocities that low. Most 7.62x39 is @ 2300, I think.
 
I make mine. Use a Lee mold for 155 grain and I size them and gascheck for ..308 or .311. I hard cast them and use tumble lube but apply it with a Q tip to the lube groove area.

I use this same bullet for 7.62x39, 7.62x54R, .308 and 30-06.

In my 06 I am having no leading issues at 2600 fps
 
I didn't realize they had a velocity limit on those. I imagine as long as you use mid-range load data you would be fine. It would be kind of silly to sell bullets that don't work for their intended purpose but I'm sure stranger things have happened.
RMRbullets is a good source for factory seconds and pulled bullets. I've got some pretty good deals from them in the past on stuff you don't regularly see for sale. Their plated pistol bullets also get pretty good reviews.
 
keep velocities below 2000 fps.

I expect you could get the velocity that low using AA1680.
I laid in a supply of .311 123 grain bullets before things got crazy. Speer and Hornady(both Spire Point and V-Max/Zombie-Max) seem to work fairly well.
 
I have loaded the Xtreme 123gr plated fp with H-4198 work pretty well.
I'm a little confused why they don't offer a heavier bullet, if they did it would help to stay under their velocity ceiling, and have reliable ammo.
 
I agree Mobuck that 2k is safe and reliable in my experience, but just passing on the factory recommendations. I have used extreme in past sks reloading and pushed it way above 1500k and even recovered bullets to inspect the plating, and it always held intact. I am sure its a CYA thing, but still don't want to not let people know the lawyer recommendations
 
I would like to try plated for 30-30 Win. but again 150gr only and no 170gr:confused: If they make a bullet with a speed limit why not make a bullet where the handloader can easily stay with in the limits?
 
I agree with the comments about not making plated bullets in the heavier weights to keep velocities around recommended levels. In looking at published load data, I am very hard pressed to find any data below 2000 fps. The few I have found in the 123g with starting loads less than 2000 fps are for obscure powders (never heard of them, could be not made anymore) and nothing I have on hand or have seen available in my LGS.

Seems to me that if I want to enjoy loading this round, I need to go with more expensive components and not load just for plinking. Perhaps I should get that CZ 527 soon that is high on my wish list. Sounds like a good excuse to me! :D
 
I have used several plated bullets from xtreme bullets with great results, rifles and pistols. Unfortunately 7.62x39 is the only one that didn't work out. The group was like shotgun pattern, even with speed below 1500fps. One theory is that my SKS doesn't have smooth enough riflings so it tears and strips the plating. The other possibility is that I have an oversized bore of 0.313". Gas cutting strips the plating.

I posted on this forum. A member replied to confirm the same. One SKS of his performed well, while the other one was as lousy as mine.

Ended up selling the remaining bullets.

-TL
 
I hop this is for a bolt gun, otherwise you'll be chasing that precious x39 brass everywhere.

Been there, done that...sold the AK.
 
Www.polygunbag.com is sold out of x39 bullets at the moment, but keep an eye out, usually sell for 15-16$ per 100.

They do have 54r pulls in stock, may have to play with seating depths, but don't why they couldn't be made to work. Plus you'll be the only one on the block to still have steelcore x39
 
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